Question

question: 24 biological catalysts are enzymes involved in many processes that occur in the human body. the illustration represents a series of reactions that occurs in the body. high temperatures can cause bonds between amino acids to change permanently. if the bonds between amino acids change, the shape of the catalyst will also change. this can cause a reduction in the reaction rate. which best describes why adding heat can cause reactions involving biological catalysts to slow down? a. adding heat to a reaction increases the amount of energy available for the enzyme. b. adding heat will alter the bonds of amino acids and cause the reaction to lose energy. c. the shape of a biological catalyst can change due to the presence of heat, which will affect its ability to help connect the original molecules.

Explanation:

• Option A: Increasing energy for the enzyme doesn't explain the slowdown; enzymes' activity is related to their shape, not just energy availability. So A is incorrect.
• Option B: Heat alters amino acid bonds, but the reaction doesn't "lose energy" in a way that explains the slowdown. The key is the enzyme's shape change, not energy loss of the reaction. So B is incorrect.
• Option C: The problem states heat changes amino acid bonds, altering the catalyst's (enzyme's) shape. Enzymes work by their specific shape (active site) fitting substrates. A changed shape would reduce its ability to connect original molecules (substrates), slowing the reaction. This matches the explanation.

Answer:

C. The shape of a biological catalyst can change due to the presence of heat, which will affect its ability to help connect the original molecules.